Marlins sign righty Rodriguez to Minor League deal
2012 third-round Draft pick Romero to join pitcher with Spring Training invite
MIAMI -- Henry Rodriguez, a hard-throwing reliever with a history of control problems, is getting a chance to hook on with the Marlins.
The club announced Thursday it had signed Rodriguez to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The 26-year-old right-hander possesses a fastball in the upper-90s. The trouble is he struggles throwing strikes.
Last season, Rodriguez pitched for the Nationals and Cubs, and in 22 innings, he walked 20 while striking out 12.
A Venezuelan native, Rodriguez broke in with the A's in 2009. In parts of five big league seasons, he is 5-7 with a 4.24 ERA in 148 appearances. Rodriguez has 150 strikeouts and 102 walks over 148 2/3 innings.
Miami also announced that second baseman Avery Romero, the team's third-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, has been extended an invitation to Major League camp.
The Marlins now have 64 players set to participate in Spring Training, which gets underway with pitchers and catchers workouts on Feb. 16 in Jupiter, Fla.